*For an overview of units 1-4, please see this short class:  IEW Writing Overview of Units 1-4.

Note: The Wonders of Science book is listed in the Level A (grades 3-5) category on the IEW website. However, in the description, it states that it is for grades 4-7.  It may be best described as between level A and level B. 

This 15-week, semester IEW class will include key word outlines, basic paragraph structure, stylistic techniques, multiple-source essays, answering a prompt, writing critiques, and creatively using style techniques. Using IEW’s newest theme-based book, Wonders of Science, (purchase of book required for class), learners will encounter science-related sources and topics to base their writing upon. This class will cover IEW writing units 6-9, including inventive writing, essays, and critiques. Through group writing during class, grammar exercises, homework, and feedback on assignments, learners will be guided through the steps to plan, write, and edit their assignments.  I offer feedback on all class assignments that are sent to me.

Class time structure:
Greeting: An ice-breaker-type question offers an opportunity to play with words and style as well as and to become acquainted with fellow learners.  
Mechanics and Style: Grammar lessons, editing, and new style techniques are included in our mechanics and style time, which is presented through individual or group exercises.
Writing lesson: The lesson is presented, and we practice the structure through group and individual writing.
Vocabulary or Review: Vocabulary exercises and grammar review use presentation slides and Zoom reactions.

IEW Units
Unit six: Weeks 1-4, Wonders of Science lessons 16-19, will instruct learners in writing a fused outline after researching multiple sources. 
 These paragraphs will become the body paragraphs of a five-paragraph essay in later weeks. Writing with style will continue to use the techniques learned in the first-semester class while adding additional ways to open a sentence. 

Unit seven: Weeks 5-8, Wonders of Science lessons 20-23, will teach techniques needed to write without a source text.  Unit seven, inventive writing, is often affectionately called "Writing from the Brain". Through the use of well-chosen questions, learners will have the opportunity to practice techniques to avoid the blank-page stress of inventive essay assignments. 

Unit eight: Weeks 9-11, Wonders of Science lessons 24-26, will pull together previously learned concepts into an essay.  With the addition of introduction and conclusion paragraphs, learners will have the structure to build five-paragraph essays with style. 

Unit nine: Weeks 12-15, Wonders of Science lessons 27-29, will focus on literary critiques and response to literature essays.  The class will conclude with review and the opportunity to present essays from the semester during class. 

Learners will be involved in class exercises and group writing as well as individual writing and presenting.  Learners will learn basic editing in order to better edit their own assignments. Homework, approximately 1-2 hours per week, will include key word outlines, oral exercises, writing assignments, and editing exercises.   Homework will be submitted via Outschool messaging and will be returned with further edits and feedback. 

Please note that this class time will change based on Daylight Savings Time for the Central time zone.

*For those who want to begin with this second-semester class, I recommend first completing my short class that reviews units 1-4.  https://outschool.com/classes/iew-writing-overview-of-units-1-4-outlines-paragraphs-and-stories-luoHJ9Rg